Palm Cove and Port Douglas - where to stay

[StevePER]

We're off to Queensland in September, and looking to spend two nights in Palm Cove and three in Port Douglas. Can anyone recommend a good place to stay? We're travelling with an 18 month old so would like somewhere with a separate bedroom, ideally under $150/night.

I'm considering the Novotel at Palm Cove (either Superior Suite - $135 per night, or one bedroom apartment - $151 per night), and Mantra PortSea at Port Douglas (2 bedroom apartment - $127 per night). But neither of these has great reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

[docjames]

Try Mantra on the Inlet - at the end of the main street of Port Douglas, easy walk to beach or pier. Basic but comfortable. Should be able to achieve in that price bracket. Can get 2 BR or a better alternative perhaps, a 1BR apartment (ie. bedroom + living area) which may be useful with child.

 

[StevePER]

Try Mantra on the Inlet - at the end of the main street of Port Douglas, easy walk to beach or pier. Basic but comfortable. Should be able to achieve in that price bracket. Can get 2 BR or a better alternative perhaps, a 1BR apartment (ie. bedroom + living area) which may be useful with child.

$254 per night for a one bedroom spa suite.

 

[markis10]

The Novotel was old 10 years ago, dont forget Cliftons or Trinity as an alternative, Mission beach two hours south is not a bad alternative in terms of rates and attractions!

 

[swawer]

In Port Douglas try the Regal - really helpful management - about 1 block from the beach. Also the lady at the White House welcomes children and if she has room will give you a bigger apartment. You can leave your pusher safely under the stairs.

We have stayed at Sea Temple at palm Cove - beautiful apartments - I don't know the cost though.

There are brokers who sell apartments in the hotels in both places - I think one is called FNQ and if you are not looking for daily service you can actually get somewhere really nice in the same hotel/apartment block as others who deal direct with the actual place. Give them a go - you might be pleasantly surprised at the price difference.

One other thing - if you are thinking of hiring a car, do it well before - if you use a service like vroomvroom, you can book the car without even a deposit - so if you change your mind later on it costs nothing. There always seems to be a shortage of hire cars up there.

Most of all - enjoy!

 

[oldsalt]

We were there a couple of weeks ago, but were in an different accom range. But what I can suggest is a great Restaurant in Palm Cove, Colonies for Seafood it is really good. Also, if you have a car, you MUST take a day trip at least up to the Daintree, Cape Trib etc.. There is some reasonable accom up their also. We stayed at Ferntree Rainforest Lodge which was pretty good for the price. If you have time check out the Insect Museum, well worth it.

 

[RB]

Not an area I know a lot about but I was quite taken by Trinity Beach when I was last up there. Seemed a little more "real world" at the time but maybe it has become resort style too?

 

[medhead]

it's been a long time since I lived there. But I would suggest that September is getting towards no swimming at beaches time. So a car would be a must, if you want to get to cairns.

Again old advice but I would suggest getting to Mossman gorge for a look. I also did a bike ride from Kuranda north on a reasonable dirty track to meet up with another road and then ride down the range to Port Douglas. That could be a decent trip.

Low isles out of Port D was pretty good, but given the massive development up there maybe not so good now. I thought Cape Trib/Daintree would require a 4WD, well it did a "few" years ago, maybe they have a better road these days. Development.

Now if only I was still in contact with that nice girl from Trinity Beach.....

 

[Suncoaster]

In that price bracket - we've stayed at Melaleuca Resort Palm Cove,
it's on the main street in the middle of town, across the road from the beach.
Nice pool.

I've also stayed at the Novotel, back when it had a golf course, and it is great if you have kids... but it's a short walk from the beach.

In Port Douglas I've stayed at the Mirage, not bad, next to the beach, but pricey. For that price I'd now rather go to Fiji or Bali. In fact we have a villa in Bali lined up in a couple of weeks...

I've heard bad reviews of Rydges in Port Douglas.
Try the Pavilions apartments in Macrossan Street.

 

[StevePER]

I think we might go for Golden Sands Beachfront Resort at Yorkey's Knob ($136) instead of Palm Cove. Ticks all the boxes and has great reviews, while still being close to Cairns for our "late" (6pm) arrival. At Port Douglas I've found a couple more options, Oaks Lagoons ($139) and Rydges Sabaya Resort ($119) which both look better than Manta PortSea.

I tried FNQ Apartments, but didn't find anything suitable for the right price. Similarly Regal Port Douglas ($230), White House ($185) and Sea Temple ($299).

Thanks for all the suggestions of what to do, my knowledge of the area before I booked was limited to reading a couple of pages on Wikitravel! I definitely want to head up to the Daintree and Cape Tribulation, and Mossman Gorge sounds good too.

Will look into booking a car in the next couple of days, thanks for the tip!

Booking the flights with Qantas points, it was interesting that we had the choice between the direct redeye flight on Jetstar (arriving 4:20am!) or a very civilised trip via Alice Springs that doesn't come up as an option for a paid trip.

 

[StevePER]

In that price bracket - we've stayed at Melaleuca Resort Palm Cove, it's on the main street in the middle of town, across the road from the beach. Nice pool.

$218 per night.

I've heard bad reviews of Rydges in Port Douglas. Try the Pavilions apartments in Macrossan Street.

Pavilions is $185/night for the one-bedroom apartment. Do you have any more specifics about Rydges? It is very cheap compared with most other places.

In Port Douglas I've stayed at the Mirage, not bad, next to the beach, but pricey. For that price I'd now rather go to Fiji or Bali. In fact we have a villa in Bali lined up in a couple of weeks...

We had our first trip to Bali a couple of months ago, and I don't feel like I'm in a hurry to go back until the boy is a bit older. I need to be in Sydney for work around the same time, my wife wanted to come along, so I thought we should go somewhere on the way so I get a holiday as well. Cairns is kind of on the way when you're coming from Perth.

 

[samh004]

I was there with my mum last October and we found the Rydges to be good value. I’m not sure if we were upgraded or the room we booked was what we got, but obviously, a separate bedroom was a must, and we got that.

Price must have been reasonable as my mum always sets a low budget, and the place was quite nice. You could easily walk into town if you wanted, though the shuttle bus wasn’t too costly and was very quick.

 

[Suncoaster]

$218 per night.

Oh sorry - must be the high season, I think I stayed there around Feb.
Go and have a look at Palm Cove anyway - the massive Melaleucas are spectacular and the coconuts on the beach have the classic tropical look.

Pavilions is $185/night for the one-bedroom apartment. Do you have any more specifics about Rydges? It is very cheap compared with most other places.

Only second hand info about Rydges. I was in PD for a wedding and some of the guests stayed there and didn't like it. Probably expecting something more. It's on the main road a couple of Ks from town and some of the units are privately owned.

I'll second the comment that Trinity Beach is worth a look also.

Cairns is kind of on the way when you're coming from Perth.

lol.

The Yorkey's Knob Yacht Club does a good counter lunch too.